Dash For Cash: Mike Stefanik Gets Pole For Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 150 At Thompson Speedway

THOMPSON – Not that Mike Stefanik needs any extra drive when behind the wheel of his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car, but who doesn’t enjoy the thought of an extra C-note at the end of a long day?

Mike Stefanik celebrates winning the Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 150 pole Saturday at Thompson International Speedway

Stefanik sure liked the thought.

When crew chief Brad LaFontaine offered up a challenge prior to qualifying Saturday, Stefanik was up for chasing some cash.

“Brad LaFontaine puts a lot of effort into Saturday’s practice and setup and everything,” Stefanik said. “He called me on the radio and said ‘There’s an extra hundred in it for you if you can put it on the pole.’ So, I’m a money hungry guy so that was a little more motivation.”

Pay the man.

Stefanik won the pole in time trial qualifying Saturday at Thompson for Sunday’s season opening Icebreaker 150.

“I didn’t need much motivation though, I’m still pretty hungry as a 54-year old guy,” said Stefanik, a seven-time Whelen Modified Tour champion.

Stefanik, of Coventry, R.I., toured the .625-mile oval in 18.668 seconds (120.527 mph).

“Everything worked, everything clicked,” Stefanik said. “Chris Our has got such a nice program there and there’s so much depth in that team and so much knowledge and experience. I trust Brad 100 percent and right off the truck the car felt great.”

Ryan Preece of Berlin was second fastest in qualifying at 18.707 seconds (120.276 mph). Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. was third fastest (18.745 seconds, 120.032 mph).

Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y. was fourth fastest in time trials but had his time disallowed by NASCAR after he failed post-qualifying fuel inspection. Hossfeld will have to start at the rear of the field Sunday.